Summary
Overview
In this gripping episode, Alexander Litvinenko lies dying in a London hospital after being poisoned on November 1st, 2006. Over three weeks, doctors struggle to identify what's killing him while he gives detailed testimony to police, pointing to Putin as ultimately responsible. The mystery is finally solved when polonium-210 is discovered, but too late to save him. He dies on November 23rd, leaving behind a powerful statement accusing Putin of barbarism and unworthiness of office.
The Onset of Illness and Hospital Admission
After returning home on the anniversary of his arrival in the UK, Litvinenko becomes violently ill, vomiting repeatedly through the night. Though he suspects poisoning and calls Lugovoy to cancel meetings, he doesn't immediately accuse his poisoners. Paramedics initially dismiss his symptoms as bacterial infection, but his condition worsens, leading to admission at Barnet Hospital on November 3rd where doctors discover abnormal blood counts that don't fit any standard illness pattern.
- Litvinenko vomits repeatedly the night of November 1st, with blood and foam appearing
- He tells Marina he thinks he's been poisoned in the early hours of November 2nd
- Litvinenko calls Lugovoy to cancel meetings, not yet accusing him
- Admitted to Barnet Hospital on November 3rd with mysterious symptoms and abnormal blood counts
" I think he might have been poisoned "
Medical Mystery and Police Investigation Begins
As Litvinenko's condition deteriorates over two weeks, doctors test various theories including bacterial infection, leukemia, and thallium poisoning, but nothing fits. His hair falls out in clumps when Marina strokes it. Scotland Yard is finally notified on November 15th, and on November 17th he's transferred to University College Hospital. Two murder detectives arrive just after midnight on November 18th to conduct what becomes an extraordinary series of deathbed interviews.
- Marina's hand comes away with clumps of Litvinenko's hair on November 12th
- Initial Geiger counter test detects nothing because it's looking for wrong type of radiation
- Scotland Yard finally informed on November 15th, seemingly late given the circumstances
- Two homicide detectives begin interviews just after midnight on November 18th
" Can you guarantee he will still be alive tomorrow for us to talk to him? Well, we can't guarantee anything. Well, then you may think we're getting in the way, but we're going to start these interviews right now "
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